⚠️ SAFETY: Monoplata from Mount targets the Shoulder joint and rotator cuff. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Release immediately upon tap.
The Monoplata from Mount is an advanced shoulder lock submission that combines elements of the traditional omoplata with mounted control. This technique targets the opponent’s shoulder joint and rotator cuff by isolating one arm and applying rotational pressure through a leg-based figure-four configuration. From the mount position, the attacker transitions to isolate the opponent’s arm, threads their leg through to create the lock, and applies controlled pressure to force the tap. The monoplata is particularly effective against opponents who defend by framing with their arms or attempting to create distance from mount. Unlike the traditional omoplata which is executed from guard positions, the monoplata from mount provides superior control and eliminates many common escape routes. The technique requires excellent hip mobility, precise timing, and thorough understanding of shoulder mechanics to execute safely. When performed correctly, the monoplata creates an inescapable position where the opponent must tap or risk serious shoulder injury. This submission has gained popularity in modern no-gi grappling due to its effectiveness against athletic opponents who maintain strong defensive frames from bottom mount.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint and rotator cuff Starting Position: Mount Success Rates: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) | CRITICAL | 3-12 months with surgery possible |
| Shoulder dislocation (anterior or posterior) | High | 6-12 weeks minimum |
| Labrum tear (glenoid labrum damage) | High | 4-9 months with potential surgery |
| AC joint separation | Medium | 4-8 weeks |
Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW - 5-7 seconds minimum application time in training
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (say ‘tap’ clearly)
- Physical hand tap on opponent or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any verbal distress signal
- Screaming or shouting
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release leg pressure and remove the figure-four configuration
- Unthread your leg from around opponent’s arm slowly
- Return to neutral mount position without additional pressure
- Allow opponent time to assess shoulder before continuing
- Check with training partner verbally before resuming
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply this submission at competition speed during training
- Never jerk or spike the shoulder joint
- Always ensure training partner has access to tap with free hand
- Do not practice on training partners with existing shoulder injuries
- Stop immediately if opponent shows any sign of shoulder instability
- White belts should drill mechanics only with zero resistance
Key Principles
- Isolate one arm completely before attempting the lock configuration
- Maintain mount control throughout the transition to prevent escape
- Thread your leg through smoothly without losing hip pressure on opponent
- Create a tight figure-four lock with your legs around the isolated arm
- Apply rotational pressure gradually through hip extension and leg squeeze
- Control opponent’s head and far arm to eliminate defensive options
- Keep your weight distributed to prevent bridging escapes during setup
Prerequisites
- Secure dominant mount position with hips low and chest pressure forward
- Opponent’s arm is extended or framing against your chest/neck
- Your mobility allows threading leg through without losing balance
- Opponent’s far arm is controlled or trapped to prevent defense
- Sufficient hip flexibility to bring leg around opponent’s head smoothly
- Weight distribution prevents opponent from bridging or rolling during transition
- Clear understanding of shoulder lock mechanics and injury mechanisms
Execution Steps
- Secure high mount with arm isolation: From mount, slide your hips high toward opponent’s head while maintaining chest pressure. Isolate one of opponent’s arms by controlling their wrist or forearm. The target arm should be extended toward your body, either framing against your chest or reaching up defensively. Use your opposite hand to pin their wrist to your chest or trap it against your body. Keep your weight forward to prevent them from bridging or creating space. (Timing: 3-5 seconds to establish secure control) [Pressure: Firm]
- Control opponent’s head and far arm: While maintaining control of the isolated arm, use your free hand to control opponent’s head or secure their far arm. This is critical to prevent them from defending the monoplata by grabbing your leg or creating frames. You can cup the back of their head, control their far wrist, or establish a grip on their far shoulder. This control eliminates their primary defensive options as you transition. (Timing: 2-3 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Swing leg over opponent’s head: Begin the transition by swinging your leg (same side as the trapped arm) over opponent’s head. Post your opposite hand on the mat for balance as you lift your leg. Your leg should arc over their face smoothly without losing mount control with your other leg. Keep the trapped arm pinned to your body throughout this movement. Your leg should end up positioned so your shin is across the back of their head/neck area. (Timing: 2-4 seconds for smooth transition) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Thread leg through and create figure-four: Once your leg is over opponent’s head, thread your foot through the gap between their trapped arm and their head. Your foot should slide between their shoulder and ear. Continue threading until your ankle is positioned near their opposite shoulder. Now bring your other leg up and lock your feet together in a figure-four configuration around their trapped arm. Your top ankle should hook behind your bottom leg’s knee, creating a tight lock that isolates the shoulder joint completely. (Timing: 4-6 seconds to establish proper configuration) [Pressure: Light]
- Adjust body position and establish control points: With the figure-four established, adjust your upper body position. You may need to roll slightly to your side or adjust your angle to optimize the leverage on their shoulder. Maintain control of their head or far arm with your hands. Your hips should be close to their shoulder, and your locked legs should be tight against their trapped arm. Ensure the opponent’s arm is fully extended and cannot bend at the elbow, as this maximizes the rotational stress on the shoulder joint. (Timing: 3-4 seconds for positioning) [Pressure: Firm]
- Apply submission pressure gradually: Begin applying pressure by extending your hips away from opponent’s body while simultaneously squeezing your legs together. This creates rotational pressure on the shoulder joint in two directions: internal rotation from the leg squeeze and external leverage from your hip extension. Apply pressure SLOWLY and progressively over 5-7 seconds minimum. Watch for the tap constantly. The pressure should feel like a gradual tightening, never a sudden jerk. Stop immediately upon any tap signal or sign of distress. (Timing: 5-7 seconds minimum application) [Pressure: Moderate]
Opponent Defenses
- Grabbing your threading leg with their free hand to prevent the figure-four (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Control their far arm proactively before threading your leg. If they grab your leg, use your free hand to strip their grip by prying their fingers or controlling their wrist. You can also switch to an armbar on the grabbing arm if the opportunity presents.
- Bridging explosively to disrupt your balance during leg threading (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Keep your weight distributed and post your hand for base during the transition. If they bridge, ride the movement and wait for them to come back down before continuing. Alternatively, transition to traditional mount attacks like armbar or triangle if they create space.
- Tucking their trapped arm close to their body to prevent isolation (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Use framing pressure and chest weight to extend their arm before attempting the monoplata. Create reactions by threatening other attacks (cross collar choke, armbar setup) that force them to extend the arm defensively. Be patient and don’t force the position if the arm isn’t properly isolated.
- Rolling to their side toward the trapped arm (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This actually helps complete the submission as it loads more pressure on their shoulder. Follow their roll and maintain the figure-four lock. Adjust your hip position to stay perpendicular to their body. The roll eliminates their bridge escape and typically forces the tap faster.
- Straightening their arm aggressively to create space (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: If they fully extend their arm, this can actually disrupt your control. Counter by switching your grip to their wrist or elbow to maintain connection. You can also transition to a straight armbar if they create enough extension. Keep your legs ready to lock as soon as they stop extending.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum time you should take to apply pressure on a monoplata during training, and why is this critical? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You must apply pressure over a minimum of 5-7 seconds during training because the shoulder joint is highly susceptible to rotator cuff tears and dislocations. Slow application gives your training partner adequate time to recognize the submission and tap safely before injury occurs. The shoulder complex involves multiple tendons and ligaments that can tear catastrophically with fast application.
Q2: Which specific anatomical structures are at risk during a monoplata submission? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The monoplata primarily targets the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis), the glenoid labrum, and the shoulder joint capsule. The rotational pressure can cause anterior or posterior shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tears requiring surgery, labrum tears, and AC joint separation. These injuries typically require 3-12 months recovery with potential surgical intervention.
Q3: What are the key control points you must establish before attempting to thread your leg for the monoplata? A: Before threading your leg, you must: (1) Secure the isolated arm tightly against your body to prevent it from escaping, (2) Control opponent’s far arm or head to prevent them from grabbing your threading leg, (3) Maintain mount control with sufficient weight distribution to prevent bridging escapes, and (4) Ensure proper hip positioning to allow smooth leg threading without losing balance. Without these controls, the technique will fail.
Q4: How should you respond if your training partner doesn’t tap after several seconds of applied pressure? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: If your partner doesn’t tap after 5-7 seconds of gradual pressure, immediately stop and release the submission. Your partner may not understand the position or may be unfamiliar with the shoulder lock mechanics. Communicate verbally, explain what you were attempting, and ask if they felt pressure. NEVER increase the speed or intensity hoping to force a tap. In training, education and safety always take priority over finishing the submission.
Q5: What is the correct response if your opponent bridges explosively while you are threading your leg? A: If opponent bridges during the leg thread, you should post your free hand on the mat for balance and ride the bridge without forcing the position. Maintain your controls on their trapped arm and wait for them to return to the mat. If they create significant space, consider transitioning to alternative mount attacks like armbar or triangle rather than forcing a low-percentage monoplata. Never sacrifice position trying to force a submission that isn’t there.
Q6: Why is controlling the opponent’s far arm or head essential before threading your leg, and what happens if you skip this step? A: Controlling the far arm or head is essential because it eliminates opponent’s primary defensive option: grabbing your threading leg. If you skip this control, opponent can easily grab your ankle or knee as you swing your leg over, preventing the figure-four lock from forming. This defensive grab not only stops the submission but can also lead to you losing mount position entirely as you’re caught mid-transition with poor base.
Q7: What are the valid tap signals during a monoplata, and why is it important to recognize all of them? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Valid tap signals include: verbal taps (saying ‘tap’ or any distress vocalization), physical hand taps on opponent or mat, physical foot taps on the mat, and any screaming or shouting. It’s critical to recognize all tap methods because the monoplata’s configuration may restrict some tapping options—opponent may not be able to reach you with their free hand, or may be unable to move their legs. Recognizing any distress signal immediately prevents catastrophic shoulder injuries.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The monoplata from mount represents an advanced application of rotational shoulder attacks that requires systematic understanding of both mount control and shoulder lock mechanics. The primary mechanical principle is isolating the shoulder joint through leg-based configuration while maintaining superior positional control. From a biomechanical perspective, the submission works by creating internal rotation of the humerus within the glenohumeral joint while simultaneously applying posterior pressure on the shoulder capsule through hip extension and leg squeeze. The figure-four lock created by your legs eliminates the opponent’s ability to internally rotate their shoulder as a defensive measure. The key technical detail that separates successful execution from failure is the depth of leg threading—your foot must penetrate past the opponent’s shoulder line to create proper leverage angles. Most practitioners fail because they thread too shallow, giving opponent defensive space. The monoplata should be viewed as part of a systematic mount attack sequence, chaining naturally with armbar and triangle attempts. When opponent defends one attack by extending or framing, they create the setup for another. Safety considerations are paramount with this submission—the shoulder joint has limited rotational capacity, and the rotator cuff musculature tears easily under torsional stress. In training, application speed must be dramatically slower than competition pace to allow adequate tap time. The submission’s effectiveness lies not in explosive application but in the inevitability of the mechanical lock once properly configured. Superior practitioners recognize that position control during the transition is more important than rushing to the finish.
- Gordon Ryan: The monoplata from mount is one of my favorite attacks against defensive opponents who try to create frames and distance from bottom position. In competition, I’ve found this submission particularly effective because most people don’t recognize the danger until the lock is fully secured, and by then it’s too late to defend. The key to hitting this at high level is making opponent think you’re going for something else first—threaten the armbar or cross collar choke to get them to extend their arms defensively, then capitalize on that reaction by securing the monoplata. The transition needs to be smooth and fast enough that they can’t retract their arm, but you also need to maintain enough mount control that you don’t sacrifice position trying to force it. I always control the far arm or head first before swinging my leg over because if they grab your leg during the thread, you’re in trouble. In terms of finishing, the pressure should be applied more quickly in competition than training, but even in competition you need to give a second or two for the tap—shoulder injuries are serious and you don’t want to injure training partners or opponents unnecessarily. One thing people don’t realize is that the monoplata works exceptionally well in no-gi because it doesn’t rely on gi grips, and the leg-based control is actually more secure without gi friction that opponent could use to defend. I chain this with armbar attempts constantly because they defend each other—if they hitchhike out of the armbar, their arm feeds right into the monoplata. The biggest mistake I see is people trying to force the monoplata when the arm isn’t properly isolated, which just results in lost position. Be patient, create the reaction you need, then attack decisively when the setup is correct. In training, always apply slowly and give your partners time to tap—building trust with training partners means they’ll let you work on dangerous submissions like this without being overly defensive.
- Eddie Bravo: The monoplata from mount is a sick submission that fits perfectly into the 10th Planet game, especially in no-gi where you can’t rely on gi grips to control people. What I love about this move is that it’s unexpected—most people are worried about armbars and triangles from mount, so when you start threading your leg through they don’t realize what’s happening until it’s locked up. The key innovation we’ve developed is chaining the monoplata with rubber guard transitions and gogoplata setups, creating a systematic approach to mounted leg-based attacks. From high mount, if opponent is framing hard against your chest, that extended arm is perfect for the monoplata entry. The flexibility requirement is real though—if you can’t get your leg around their head smoothly, you’ll lose position trying to force it. We drill this progression: mount to high mount to armbar threat to monoplata, so it becomes one fluid sequence where you’re reading their defensive reactions. One variation I really like is when they roll to defend the monoplata, you can follow them and transition to twister control or take the back with the crucifix—their escape attempt becomes your entry to another dominant position. From a training culture perspective, this submission requires serious trust between partners because shoulder injuries are no joke. We emphasize tapping early in training and applying slow pressure so everyone can train consistently without injuries. The rotator cuff doesn’t heal quick, and I’ve seen too many guys blow their shoulders being stubborn about tapping or being jerks with submission pressure. In our gym, we treat shoulder locks with extra respect—slow application, early taps, and immediate release when partner signals. The monoplata is effective enough without being dangerous if both people are operating with good training ethics. For competition, once you get the figure-four locked, the fight’s over—apply progressive pressure until they tap, but even in competition you’re not trying to injure people. The submission itself creates enough mechanical pressure that you don’t need to crank it explosively. Master the position, understand the anatomy, and respect your training partners’ safety.